We present an inquiry-based project using readily-available seed stocks of Arabidopsis. Seedlings are grown under simulated "common garden" conditions to test evolutionary and organismal principles. Students learn scientific method by developing hypotheses and selecting appropriate data and analyses for their experiments. Experiments can be…

The study examined first-year engineering students' responses to a statistics task that asked them to generate a procedure for quantifying variability in a data set from an engineering context. Teams used technological tools to perform computations, and their final product was a ranking procedure. The students could use any statistical measures,…

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine optimal criteria for defining response and remission in adolescents with acute mania. Method: Data were analyzed from three treatment studies of adolescents with acute mania (N = 99). Trained raters completed the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and clinicians completed the Clinical Global…

A method for estimating criterion validity of scales with homogeneous components is outlined. It accomplishes point and interval estimation of interrelationship indices between composite scores and criterion variables and is useful for testing hypotheses about criterion validity of measurement instruments. The method can also be used with missing…

This brief paper advances the concept of a "good death," outlines ten specific criteria for a good death, and proposes a simple golden rule for optimal dying. (Contains 1 table.)

Rational selection of educational resources is a necessary step to effective teaching. Four criteria to consider in selection are the instructional objectives to be achieved by students, the resources available for use, the characteristics of students to be taught, and the teacher's ability and preferences. (Author)

An impact method for achieving organizational consensus was used in specifying research and development project selection criteria at four different organizations. The method consists of the repeated use of a paired comparison instrument along with group discussions and member interactions. The method may be generally useful for disclosing hidden…

Discussed is testing in the field of career education for the handicapped, with emphasis on four major topics: applied performance testing, criterion validity studies, product vs. process measurement, and criterion vs. norm-referenced measurement. The author reviews some political considerations relevant to this area of testing. (IM)

Three reactions to the paradox in question are given. Generally, some evaluation feedback is considered to hurt more than help, but more often than not evaluations can provide direction and guidance to educators. (AM)

The paper discusses a study of the current criteria for identifying and defining specific learning disabilities (SLD) across the States, in light of Public Law 94-142's requirement that local education agencies implement federal SLD criteria in order to receive federal funds for SLD students. Aspects of the states identification procedures…

A complex freestanding optical mark recognition (OMR) scanner is one which is not on-line to an external processor; it has intelligence stemming from an internal processor located within the unit or system. The advantages and disadvantages of a complex OMR can best be assessed after identifying the scanning needs and constraints of the potential…

THE VARIOUS WEAKNESSES, DIFFICULTIES, AND "COMMON CONFUSIONS" THAT HAVE CHARACTERIZED THE CRITERIA USED IN TEACHER SELECTION PROCEDURES ARE IDENTIFIED, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE MADE. TEN STEPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF PROCEDURES ARE OUTLINED--FROM IDENTIFICATION OF LOCALLY VARYING EXPECTATIONS ARISING FROM VARYING VALUES…

Competency based teacher education has been defined in various ways, but there is general agreement on at least two basic elements. The first essential characteristic is the specification of teacher competencies which form the basis of the entire program. The second is the design of assessment techniques directly related to the specific…

Work samples are commonly used to aid in the assessment of a client's potential for functioning in various competitive occupations. To determine an individual's position relative to a particular reference group the most commonly used norms are those based on scores of other clients who have performed a specific work sample, and performance scores…

The concept of accountability, or fixing responsibility for outcomes in education, is not new. As far back as 1912, administrators were responding enthusiastically to the idea of assessing teacher performance by objective criteria. Currently, the focus of the accountability movement is on evaluation. An evaluation procedure that would assist in…